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'NHS treatment delay' caused cancer patient's death 'NHS treatment delay' caused cancer patient's death
(4 days later)
A man died from operable cancer after an NHS trust failed to act on advice from another hospital, an ombudsman's report has revealed.A man died from operable cancer after an NHS trust failed to act on advice from another hospital, an ombudsman's report has revealed.
Peter Filipovic, 62, was referred to King's College Hospital in London with suspected pancreatic cancer by the Medway Maritime Hospital in 2011.Peter Filipovic, 62, was referred to King's College Hospital in London with suspected pancreatic cancer by the Medway Maritime Hospital in 2011.
He died in summer 2012 after delays to his treatment, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) said.He died in summer 2012 after delays to his treatment, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) said.
King's College Hospital had "failed to act quickly enough", it ruled.King's College Hospital had "failed to act quickly enough", it ruled.
The case is one of dozens of errors by public bodies and the NHS detailed in the report from the PHSO.The case is one of dozens of errors by public bodies and the NHS detailed in the report from the PHSO.
Mr Filipovic, from Sittingbourne, Kent, was referred to King's for surgery after doctors at the Medway Maritime Hospital found a small tumour on his pancreas.Mr Filipovic, from Sittingbourne, Kent, was referred to King's for surgery after doctors at the Medway Maritime Hospital found a small tumour on his pancreas.
However, medics at King's failed to act upon the diagnosis of possible cancer and investigated him for other problems, the ombudsman said.However, medics at King's failed to act upon the diagnosis of possible cancer and investigated him for other problems, the ombudsman said.
His wife Jean, 65, said doctors at the London hospital initially told the family he did not have cancer.His wife Jean, 65, said doctors at the London hospital initially told the family he did not have cancer.
It was not until several months later, after he had lost six stone, suffered from jaundice and was unable to walk, that the doctors then said he did have cancer, but he was too weak to have an operation and it was too late for chemotherapy, Mrs Filipovic said.It was not until several months later, after he had lost six stone, suffered from jaundice and was unable to walk, that the doctors then said he did have cancer, but he was too weak to have an operation and it was too late for chemotherapy, Mrs Filipovic said.
The ombudsman said the outcome might have been the same even if the King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust had been quicker with Mr Filipovic's investigations.The ombudsman said the outcome might have been the same even if the King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust had been quicker with Mr Filipovic's investigations.
It also found the family had been given "confusing and contradictory" information and the trust had mishandled the family's complaint.It also found the family had been given "confusing and contradictory" information and the trust had mishandled the family's complaint.
Mrs Filipovic, who complained to the ombudsman said: "We understand that pancreatic cancer is a killer but King's didn't even give him a chance."Mrs Filipovic, who complained to the ombudsman said: "We understand that pancreatic cancer is a killer but King's didn't even give him a chance."
Following the PHSO's investigation, King's apologised for the failings and the impact they had on Mrs Filipovic.Following the PHSO's investigation, King's apologised for the failings and the impact they had on Mrs Filipovic.
It also paid her £1,500 in recognition that its failings denied her husband "the opportunity to be given the best chance of survival".It also paid her £1,500 in recognition that its failings denied her husband "the opportunity to be given the best chance of survival".
In a statement, a spokesman for the hospital said the care received by Mr Filipovic "fell below the high standards we set ourselves".
He said lessons had been learnt from the case, and it had taken "a number of steps" to improve the safety of the services provided.
"This includes working with the clinicians involved in Mr Filipovic's care to improve the management of patients with similar conditions, and robust tracking of all patients with suspected cancer to ensure they are treated within the appropriate timescales," he said.
Other NHS complaints investigated by the PHSO:Other NHS complaints investigated by the PHSO: